Mass. police chief pleads not guilty in Uzi death
Lawyer Blogs
A police chief in western Massachusetts pleaded not guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of an 8-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself with an Uzi at a gun show.
Pelham Chief Edward Fleury owns COPS Firearms & Training, which promoted the October show where Christopher Bizilj (bah-SEEL') shot himself in the head.
Fleury's lawyer, David Kuzmeski, also entered not guilty pleas on Fleury's behalf to four counts of furnishing a machine gun to a person under 18. Fleury did not appear at the arraignment in Hampden Superior Court.
Fleury could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter and up to 10 years if convicted of furnishing the weapon to a minor.
"We're very disappointed that he's been indicted," Kuzmeski said after the arraignment. "We're optimistic with our defenses. Of course, everybody is just feeling terrible about this accident. Mr. Fleury's sympathies go out to the family."
The boy, from Ashford, Conn., was killed Oct. 26 when he lost control of the 9mm micro submachine gun as it recoiled while he was firing at a pumpkin at the Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo. Christopher's father was 10 feet behind him and reaching for his camera when the child fired the weapon.
Pelham has appointed an acting police chief while Fleury remains on sick leave until Jan. 6.
District Attorney William Bennett has said Fleury wrongly assured two men who brought the weapon to Westfield Sportsman's Club that it was legal for children to use under Massachusetts law.
Related listings
-
Fort Dix plot jury seeks trial transcripts
Lawyer Blogs 12/22/2008Jurors considering the case of five men accused of plotting to attack soldiers at the Army's Fort Dix finished their fourth day of deliberations Saturday without reaching a verdict.The jury, which was being sequestered, agreed to resume deliberations...
-
Madoff mobbed by photographers after court
Lawyer Blogs 12/18/2008Disgraced investor Bernard Madoff made an appearance at the Manhattan federal courthouse to complete paperwork for his bail after a judge set new conditions for release, including a curfew and monitoring bracelet.Madoff, wearing a baseball cap and a ...
-
Last defendant in NM courthouse scandal pleads
Lawyer Blogs 12/17/2008The last defendant in a courthouse construction scandal that involved a once-powerful New Mexico politician has pleaded guilty in the case.Construction manager Michael Murphy's plea Wednesday in federal court closes the case, which earlier led to gui...
New Rochelle, New York Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP, in New Rochelle, New York, immediately. We can answer all your questions and work with you to determine if you have the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at our firm are determined to resolve even the most difficult of cases. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to get your claim or case resolved in the most efficient way possible. We will fight for your right to compensation! No one should have to suffer a financial burden from the result of another person’s carelessness. The attorneys at Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP will aggressively fight to ensure that justice is served on your behalf.